Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 39
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
आधायेध्ममथाघारावाज्यावग्नीशसंस्थितौ नियुज्य स्थापयित्वेति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः देवव्रतान्यशेषत इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः योगश्चाथाधिकारत इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः मन्त्रान् सन्तर्प्य संत्रपेत् इति ख, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः वायव्यनैरृताशादिप्रवृत्तौ तु यथाक्रमम्
ādhāyedhmamathāghārāvājyāvagnīśasaṃsthitau niyujya sthāpayitveti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ devavratānyaśeṣata iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ yogaścāthādhikārata iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ mantrān santarpya saṃtrapet iti kha, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ vāyavyanairṛtāśādipravṛttau tu yathākramam
முதலில் இத்மம் (சமித்துகள்) வைத்து, அக்னீசனின் நிலைமையின்படி நெய்யின் இரண்டு ஆகாரங்களை உரிய இடங்களில் அமைத்து, செயல்களை நியமித்து வரிசையாக நிறுவ வேண்டும். பின்னர் எல்லா தேவவிரதங்களையும் முழுமையாகக் கடைப்பிடித்து, தகுதிக்கேற்ப யோகத்தைச் செய்ய வேண்டும்; மந்திரங்களைத் திருப்திப்படுத்தி, வாயவ்யம், நைர்ருதம் முதலான திசைச் சார்ந்த கர்மங்களில் முறையே ஈடுபட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Operational sequence for homa: placing kindling, performing āghāra ghee-libations, assigning ritual acts, observing vrata/yoga per eligibility, mantra-tarpaṇa, and direction-based progression of rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa Setup: Idhma, Āghāra, Mantra-tarpaṇa, and Dik-krama (Vāyavya–Nairṛta etc.)","lookup_keywords":["idhma","āghāra","ājya","mantra-tarpaṇa","dik-krama"],"quick_summary":"Prepare the fire with kindling and the two āghāra libations, then proceed with assigned acts, observances and eligible discipline; satisfy mantras through recitation/oblations and perform rites in the prescribed directional order."}
Concept: Adhikāra (eligibility) governs the extent of vrata and yoga; mantra is ‘satisfied’ through correct sequence, offering, and spatial order.
Application: Before advanced rites, ensure eligibility, purity, and correct spatial/directional protocol to avoid ritual fault (doṣa).
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Agni-hotra & Homa-prayoga (Vedic fire-ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist arranges kindling in the fire-pit, pours the two āghāra ghee-libations, then performs mantra offerings while marking directions (NW, SW) around the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: homa-kuṇḍa with stylized flames, priest placing idhma and pouring ājya, compass-like directional deities at corners, bold outlines, ritual implements neatly arranged.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: fire-altar with bright flames, priest with ghee ladle mid-pour, directional guardians in small medallions, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and haloed Agni presence.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic yet elegant scene—homa-kuṇḍa, labeled āghāra positions, priest performing sequence, subtle colors, clear spatial orientation to Vāyavya and Nairṛta.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtyard yajña scene, attendants holding vessels, priest pouring ghee, directional markers on the ground, fine architectural backdrop and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ādhāyedhmamathā... = ādhāya + edhmam + atha; āghārāvājyā... = āghārau + ājya-au; yogaścāthādhikārata = yogaḥ + ca + atha + adhikārataḥ; vāyavyanairṛtāśādipravṛttau = vāyavya + nairṛta + āśā + ādi + pravṛttau; yathākramam = yathā-kramam. Verse contains multiple manuscript-variant notes (kha/gha etc.) treated as indeclinable markers.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (homa-prayoga; dik-nyāsa/dik-krama; āghāra and ājya-vidhi)
FAQs
It outlines homa procedure: placing kindling, performing the two āghāra ghee-libations in correct relation to Agni, satisfying mantras through offerings/recitation, and then beginning direction-based rites (vāyavya, nairṛta, etc.) sequentially.
It preserves granular liturgical mechanics—āghāra, ājya handling, mantra-satisfaction, eligibility (adhikāra), and directional sequencing—showing the text’s role as a practical manual of ritual technology alongside its broader theological content.
Correct order and purity in offerings and mantra-propitiation are presented as essential for ritual efficacy; acting according to adhikāra and with disciplined restraint is meant to ensure purification and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.